COLUMBUS, March 22, 2013 (LifeSiteNews.com)  The Republican Party of Ohio has appointed as its executive director a registered lobbyist actively campaigning to redefine marriage in the state, deepening the conflict between voters and the party elite. The move triggered swift backlash, as a coalition of 80 conservatives from across the state issued a letter warning party bosses they will not support them in the future.

The new GOP leader is Matt Borges, a lobbyist for Equality Ohio, the group pressing to overturn the state's constitutional amendment against same-sex marriage. He was hand-selected by retiring state GOP chairman Bob Bennett, who has led the party since 1988, and is seen as Bennett's heir apparent.

With this letter we put the party bosses on notice that we reject their betrayal of the party platform and our conservative values, said Tom Zawistowski, the executive director of the Portage County Tea Party. We will not support them going forward but will instead support those who are true to our cause."

The letter represents the views of a broad coalition, not just liberty group members and social conservative voters, but rank and file registered Republican voters, it states.

"Some of our Republican officials seem hell-bent on alienating conservative voters and volunteers, which reduces voter turnout," said Lori Viars, Vice President of Warren County Right To Life, who also serves as Vice Chair of the Warren County Republican Party. They ignore the GOP platform, choosing to put themselves outside the mainstream of our party base.

That's bad politics in a bellwether state.

"Never have I been more concerned for the direction of our state and country  largely due to a failure in leadership, said former State Representative Seth Morgan, who now heads the Conservative Coalition. Why would the Republican leaders put themselves at odds with sound public policy and the platform of their own party?"

Governor John Kasich and every statewide elected official signed a letter supporting Borges. He also has the support of former Ohio secretary of state Ken Blackwell and former Ohio Right to Life leader Mike Gonidakis, now a Kasich appointee to the state medical board.

Kasich said through a spokesperson that he still opposes redefining marriage and creating civil unions.

Borges faces troubles aside from his opposition to the Republican platform on marriage. His role as a lobbyist has raised eyebrows, given Kasich's strong denunciations of their wheeling and dealing influence.

Previous charges of unethical behavior are also an issue. In 2004, Borges pleaded guilty to misdemeanor charges of using his office to grant political favors to campaign donors of his boss, then-State Treasurer Joe Deters. Borges rebuffs the concerns, replying that he paid a $1,000 fine to have his record expunged.

Borges' selection comes as much of the Republican establishment seeks to change the party's stance on affirming marriage.

Jennifer Thieme, director of finance and advancement at The Ruth Institute, told LifeSiteNews.com that too few politicians are asking the most important questions: what is marriage, and what is best for society?

Those who favor redefining marriage seem to believe that marriage is nothing more than romantic feelings that the government incentivizes with tax breaks and federal benefits, Thieme told LifeSiteNews. The conservative view is that marriage is based on two things: the biological fact that sex between men and woman makes babies, and the social reality that children are entitled to their mothers and their fathers. This is an objective view of marriage, one that is also pre-political.

The Republican Party isn't called the 'Stupid Party' for nothing; this title has been earned wallowing in the trenches with Democrats and homosexuals. Let's consider them all 'Log Cabin Republicans', tell them to put their logs back in their pants, zip up and move on to infest others who consider homosexuality just another society accepted form of love.

A new part pulling at least 20% support would be a nice message to send. Otherwise everyone should just sit out the new few elections. Hopefully none on this forum will condemn those who sit out elections or vote 3rd party. It really is the only message. They don’t think they can win without the faggot vote, it should be made clear that they have absolutely no chance of winning without the conservative vote.

Sounds like a fraction of operatives are trying to break people and sending a signal....look more Republicans are for this..come join us... Be strong..all you can do now while we live and stress through these times of indoctrination. And of course, we can pray. Don't give up or give in. Take care of yourselves.

13
posted on 03/23/2013 6:47:50 AM PDT
by Christie at the beach
(I like Newt. Our nation's foundation is under attack.)

I had been a Registered Republican for a long, long time, but since Voting in the Republican Primaries became the only reason to stay there, I'm re-Registering as an Independent.

It's futile to Register as a Republican, as NO Conservative Candidate will EVER get GOP-e backing and be on the ballot, except as a write-in or bottom-of-the-pile/unknown/no State-Run-Media coverage also-ran.

I don't even want to be ASSOCIATED with the ONE-PARTY SYSTEM OF (R)RINO or (D)Dumbass/Parasite Parties.

20
posted on 03/23/2013 7:50:33 AM PDT
by traditional1
(Amerika.....Providing public housing for the Mulatto Messiah)

and as long as this stupid party keeps letting the left and liberal-tarians have a platform, use our conventions and run i our primaries then this will only get worse.

Why should they use our platforms to spout their liberal crap and lecture us on our views and how they must change.

Also the likes of the elitist who allow that like Rove, Perino, Peggy Noonan have still not got it into their thick dumb stupid heads that when they do not defend our base platform and defend children and family then they lose.

They are so deluded even after losing the base not coming out that they actually think that if they look more lke the socialist party and the liberal-tarian party then we will get votes and to hell with millions of the base.

I have a feeling this is about Portman, and pleasing their turd poking strap on wearing, elitist cocktail DC, north east pals

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